San Francisco 49ers' Jim Harbaugh not ready to name Alex Smith as starting quarterback

The Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars just named their opening-day quarterbacks, but coach Jim Harbaugh still isn't compelled to announce Alex Smith as the 49ers' starter.

"I just don't have any pressure on myself to name a starting quarterback in a timetable manner," Harbaugh said Tuesday.

Smith has started both exhibition games and is on target to secure the job ahead of rookie Colin Kaepernick and veteran Josh McCown. Smith started the first seven games last season and has a 19-31 record as a starter since being drafted first overall in 2005.

Asked when he planned to announced his starting quarterback, Harbaugh replied: "Before the first game." That would be Sept. 11 against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park.

The Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks have named Chad Henne and Tarvaris Jackson their starters, respectively, but those jobs aren't seen as too secure. On Monday, the Broncos named Kyle Orton their starter, and the Jaguars announced David Garrard as theirs Tuesday.

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Smith played most of the first half in the 49ers' 17-3 exhibition win over the Raiders on Saturday. He is 10-of-20 for 136 yards with one interception and no touchdown passes for a 51.3 passer rating this preseason. Kaepernick's stats: 15-of-27, 169 yards, two interceptions, no touchdowns, 43.6 rating.

McCown, signed last week, did not play in Saturday's exhibition win over the Raiders. Jeremiah Masoli, who finished out the 49ers' final drive, was released Monday.

In regards to a potential contract extension for running back Frank Gore, general manager Trent Baalke on Tuesday told Sirius XM NFL Radio: "The best thing we can say is we're doing everything we can to make Frank a 49er for life and whether that gets accomplished in the near future or not remains to be seen. But Frank's a 49er.

"He's a heck of a football player, he's a heck of a young man, and he's a leader. You can't say enough good things about Frank."

Cornerback Shawntae Spencer said his status is "pretty much day to day" after re-injuring his left hamstring Aug. 14. He missed two weeks of practice before deciding to return for the public workout at Candlestick Park.

"It was just too early," said Spencer, noting he has never endured a similar hamstring injury in his seven-year career.

Spencer has begun studying film of the Seahawks to familiarize himself with their new receivers.

As for how he is adapting to the 49ers' new defense, Spencer said: "It's not a hard scheme to pick up. It's the terminology, the verbiage that is the biggest adjustment."

Asked why it was a good move trading second-year safety Taylor Mays to Cincinnati for an undisclosed draft pick, Harbaugh said: "It's good not just for us but for Taylor. It's a positive for Taylor. We have a lot of respect for Taylor. I've been around him three to four weeks now and I respect him as a person. It's a better fit for him in Cincinnati."

Punter Andy Lee expects his bruised right-hip to recover in time for the season opener. Lee was practicing punts during the 25-minute window allotted for media viewing. Only 47 of the 88 players were on the field when media access ended at the start of team drills.